Her thesis focuses on social representations of the ecological transition and their effects on the social acceptability of proposals related to this transition. Justine is the recipient of a doctoral research grant from the Fonds de recherche du Québec, société et culture (FRQSC). She also holds a Master’s degree in Administration (MSc), a DESS in International Development and Humanitarian Action Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Université Laval.

Before embarking on her doctoral adventure, Justine obtained the Jean-Charles-Bonenfant Foundation scholarship in 2017-2018, allowing her to complete a parliamentary internship at the Quebec National Assembly. She then worked until 2022 as a senior consultant in a public relations and government relations agency, working with clients in various sectors.

In addition to her work, Justine is involved in her community, as a member of various boards of directors in the past, she is now the general secretary of the Academy of Controversy and Sensitive Communication. She is also a member of the first cohort of the Natural Resources Canada’s Youth Council.

Madison holds a Joint Honours in Math and Physics (McGill University, 2014), Master’s in Medical Physics (ULaval, 2016) and a PhD in Physics (ULaval, 2020), after which she worked as a clinical medical physicist in radiation oncology. She was a student advisor to Québec’s Chief Scientist (2016-2019) and a member of Canada’s Chief Science Advisor’s inaugural Youth Council (2020-2023), acting as a strong advocate at the science-policy interface for the next generation of scientists.

As an Optica Pivoting Fellow, Madison pursues her commitment to building bridges between science & society. She contributes her expertise as board member, mentor, and dedicated volunteer within local and international scientific and policy-focused organizations. Over the years, Madison co-led several initiatives for girls and women in STEM within her community as well as creative science outreach projects like La Terrasse Optique. Born and raised in Québec City, Madison loves to be outdoors – either (ultra)trail running, playing beach volleyball, or cycling.

Megan holds a PhD in Theatre & Performance Studies from York University. Currently, she is a Research Associate with Re•Vision: The Centre for Art and Social Justice at the University of Guelph, a research hub that uses arts-based methodologies to investigate the ways that the arts can advance conversations about systemic injustices across sectors (including health care, education, and the arts). At Re•Vision Megan leads projects focused on disability art and performance, critical access studies, digital pedagogy, and infrastructural politics. She is also the Reviews Editor for Performing Ethos: International Journal of Ethics in Theatre & Performance.

In addition to her academic work, Megan is a classically-trained mezzo-soprano. She sings across a wide range of genres with particular expertise in new music and expanded vocal techniques. Megan is an active community volunteer and serves as a board member for various community organizations, including Choirs for Change Association (since 2021) and Independent Living Nova Scotia (beginning in 2023).

Before joining the McKenna Institute, Melissa oversaw a portfolio of national ocean impact projects with Canada’s Ocean Supercluster and supported the growth of 40+ new ventures through the management of a business accelerator program. In 2017, she was a Global Accelerator Network Managing Director-in-Residence and spent three months working with ABC Accelerator in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Melissa holds a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Mount Allison University. During her undergraduate studies, Melissa served as President of the Mount Allison Students’ Union and lobbied all levels of government on issues facing Canada’s post-secondary students.

Melissa lives in her hometown of Saint John, New Brunswick with her partner and their cat. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys connecting with nature through gardening, camping, and trips to the beautiful beaches throughout Atlantic Canada.

Paul has spent the last decade designing interventions focused on improving outcomes for Black children, youth and families as it relates to: health and well-being, community violence, mental health and addictions, and the social service sector. His work is currently focused on social planning, health equity, and addressing the causes of neighbourhood distress and inequality.

Born and raised in Montreal, Sophie completed a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology/Immunology and a Master of Science in Experimental Medicine at McGill University. She holds a PhD in Cellular and Molecular Medicine from the University of Ottawa and attended a postgraduate externship in pharmacovigilance at Harvard University.

Globe-trotter passionate about community involvement, Sophie was the Canadian representative for the health science sector during a Rotary Exchange Program. She visited many hospitals and research centers in Rwanda and Gabon to discuss best public policy practices with the senior leaders of these two countries. Sophie sat on the Board of Director of various non-profit organisations in the sectors of education and community outreach and has been involved in numerous initiatives promoting women in STEM. As a second dan black belt martial art instructor, she founded a self-defence course for women in vulnerable situations. But most importantly, she is the devoted mother of two who hopes to leave a positive legacy for the next generation.

Dr. Prete earned her bachelors of elementary education specializing in math and science and completed her Master of Education and Doctor of Philosophy in education at the University of Alberta. She held both a Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship and was an inaugural recipient of the University of Calgary’s Provost’s postdoctoral award for Indigenous and Black scholars at the University of Calgary.

The University of Alberta recently awarded Dr. Prete the Alumni Horizon Award (2022) which recognized her research initiatives arising from her Truth and Reconciliation research, and its community implications as an outstanding professional achievement.

Dr. Prete’s background is in educational policy studies, specializing in Indigenous Peoples education. Her area of expertise includes: Indigenous secondary retention rates within the public school system, Blackfoot historical research, impacts of colonization, intergenerational trauma, and Indigenous research methodologies.

She co-founded CityHive, a non-profit on a mission to transform the way young people shape their cities and the civic processes that engage them. She also co-created the inaugural Vancouver School Board Sustainability Conference, currently in its eleventh year, and kick-started the Vancouver Youth4Tap Coalition, a city-wide campaign that led to the installation of new water fountains in every public high school in Vancouver. She has run for office municipally and provincially and has advised Ministers both federally and provincially. She currently works as the Program Manager at Environment Funders Canada.

Tesicca has served on the Mayor’s Engaged City Task Force, BC’s Climate Solutions and Clean Growth Advisory Council, and SFU Senate. For her work, she was awarded the SFU President’s Leadership in Sustainability Award and Vancouver’s Greenest City Leadership Award. Tesicca has also been named on Top 30 under 30 and Top 25 under 25 lists by Corporate Knights, North American Association for Environmental Education, and Starfish Canada. You can find her longboarding and biking through the city, swimming and kayaking in the ocean, rock climbing in the mountains, and exploring the woods.

Michelle joined the federal public service through the Advanced Policy Analyst Program, a rotational development program that includes placements at the three central agencies. Over the course of her career, Michelle has had the opportunity to work on a wide range of files, including mental health, youth employment, pharmacare, and coordination of the federal Budget. In 2017, she was selected to participate in Canada Beyond 150, a Government of Canada leadership and skills development program, where she explored innovative policy tools through a project on reconciliation.

Michelle also serves as a Director on the Board of the Education Foundation of Ottawa, whose mission is to remove economic barriers to successful learning and participation in school.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University and a Master of Public Policy from Simon Fraser University.

André’s holds a B.C.L/LL.B. from McGill University’s Faculty of Law, where he earned the distinction of being selected as class valedictorian. Additionally, he holds an honours degree in Speech Communication and Business from the University of Waterloo.

Throughout his career, André’s work has largely reflected his commitment to community engagement and equity. For example, as the first-ever Indigenous Liaison Officer at the University of Waterloo, he pioneered significant changes in recruitment and admission policies to better serve Indigenous students and communities.

Presently, André actively contributes to his community as a volunteer with the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association (CASARA), where he assists in search and rescue operations in Nunavut, and as a board member and volunteer at the Niqinik Nuatsivik Nunavut Food Bank.

Drawing on Alexandra’s lived experience as a caretaker, her PhD research seeks to understand how colonization impacts Red River Métis health by exploring the connection between identity and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.  Alexandra draws on Body Mapping, an art-based approach whereby participants create body maps to help them tell their stories, centering a relational understanding of health.

Having worked in governmental and non-governmental sectors, Alexandra is dedicated to using a strength based, rights based,community engaged participatory methods to improve Indigenous health through addressing anti-Indigenous racism in healthcare, reforming medical education, and designing Indigenous health policy.

She is a Board Certified Athletic Trainer and graduate from Minot State University and a Masters in Development Practice from the University of Winnipeg where she graduated with highest distinction. Alexandra speaks English, German and is an advocate for the Michif language. Alexandra is the current lead on the STEM Fellowship Indigenous Advisory Circle and serves as the McMaster University Indigenous Graduate Students (MIGS) Chair.

Dale’s aspirations include the creation of an organization in Alberta which will advocate for and empower iyiniw children, families, and their communities. Dale currently works for the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom Centre which provides second and third-level support services for band-operated schools across Alberta ensuring that iyiniw children learn their ways, their history, their customs, and their traditions.

Outside of school and work, Dale is a newly appointed kanawemawasîwapîwin Board Member for the maskêkosak newowacistwan nâtamâkêwin society which oversees the support services for children, youth, and families in maskêkosak (Enoch Cree Nation, AB). She is also a volunteer with Weaving Threads: An Indigenous Engagement Program with Kids Help Phone which aims to increase awareness of Kids Help Phone Services amongst iyiniw children and youth.

Dale notes that her greatest and most important role is that of a wife, mother, and grandmother. In her spare time, she can either be found in the bleachers of a hockey rink or a baseball field cheering on her children.

A former Chief of Staff to a minister of the Government of Quebec, Daria has intimate knowledge of the workings of the highest levels of policy and decision-making, as well as of the legislative and regulatory processes. She has led work on a cross-departmental portfolio of pan-Canadian issues and was instrumental in the elaboration and implementation of a new vision for this portfolio. She also served as the content director for an outgoing Premier during a provincial electoral campaign.

Today, Daria helps corporates, investors, and public organizations understand and manage their climate risks, including setting a climate ambition and governance structure and a disclosure strategy. Before founding Clearsum, Daria completed an Executive MBA (HEC Montreal – McGill). She holds bachelor’s degrees in civil and common law (McGill) and is a member of the Quebec Bar (2006).

In her free time, she learns through reading, volunteering, and travelling.

She also loves to dance.

Deanna is passionate about providing excellent Occupational Therapy Services and runs her own business. Miskihnak Occupational Therapy provides pediatric occupational therapy services to North Battleford and Northern Saskatchewan. Deanna is also the current President of the Saskatchewan Society of Occupational Therapists.

James works with business, government, and community partners to understand the root causes of our complex challenges, and to shift our entrenched behaviours, cultures, and policies to create long-term change. His current professional and volunteer roles are focused on changing how investment and philanthropic capital can be directed in different ways in the pursuit of social equity and justice.

Outside of work, James is an outdoors enthusiast, rec league athlete, and couch potato in roughly equal measures.

Japman is passionate about learning and applying new skills, technologies, and frameworks to create more resilient, innovative, and valuable products, organizations, and systems. He is a past Board Member of the Trans Canada Trail and serves on a number of global committees related to education and skills development.

Driven by a more equitable, more accessible, and a higher quality of education, Japman focuses on enabling and empowering individuals through skills validation. Currently, Japman serves as Executive Vice President of Vametric Corporation, and is responsible for the overall growth and operationalization of the business.

Born and raised in Ottawa, Japman spent seven years living in Alberta, and now lives in Toronto. Outside of his work with Vametric, he facilitates real estate financing for large commercial projects, focusing on multi-residential housing amidst Canada’s current housing crisis. Outside of work, he’s most likely to be found on his bike, at a coffee shop, at a stand-up comedy show, or with family and friends.

A former Crown Ward, Joey’s life path has informed his journalism and community involvement. He plans to use the skills he obtains during the Action Canada Fellowship to improve his understanding of policy-making processes and solutions being implemented across Canada to the challenges he covers as a local journalist.

At one time, Joey was a member of a competitive pinball league, once ranking among the top 1000 players in Canada. He is presently rated 43720th in the world by the International Flipper Pinball Association.

Joey lives in Downtown Hamilton, Ontario, where people joke that his usual seat at the farmers’ market is his real “office.”

They are also an Ontario Legislature Internship Program alum and previously worked with Global Affairs Canada as a member of Canada’s G7/G20 Summits team. Outside of work, Leslie enjoys cycling, exploring new towns and cities and spending time at home with their toddler and partner.

Sara has travelled extensively throughout the communities of the Circumpolar Arctic and across Canada. She resides on the Traditional Territories of the Kwalin Dün First Nation and Ta’an Kwäch’än Council in Whitehorse, Yukon with her three children. Sara is passionate about building an inclusive, progressive, and innovative Canada, where her family has made their home since the 1600s.

Naheda developed a strong interest in STEM outreach and finding innovative and creative ways of bringing STEM to rural and Indigenous communities during her graduate programs. She also found her passion in enhancing graduate education, and as a student leader worked hard to strengthening the student-supervisory relationship, finding more resources for graduate students, increasing the networking opportunities for graduate students with non-academic partners, and working on initiatives that prepare graduate students for non-academic careers.

Having herself tackled an academic journey with a visual impairment; she is passionate about advocating for inclusivity, diversity, equality and accessibility in science and education in general. She is committed to redefining the landscape and finding ways to support women and girls succeed. Her unique background and first-hand experience navigating academia, combined with her fierce and enthusiastic nature, have given her the tools to be an excellent advocate for the matters that are close to her heart.